Y2 Cafe

Y2 Cafe is the kind of place that feels like it’s been part of the neighbourhood forever. A warm, welcoming corner spot powered by Y2 Management, it’s the brainchild of Yasin – a music manager with deep roots in Salford and an obvious love for both Persian food and bringing people together. His mum Maryam runs the kitchen, serving up proper soul food: the kind of dishes passed down through generations and made with no shortcuts.

Step inside and you’ll find traditional Persian rugs underfoot, art on the walls, and a space that’s part café, part community living room. There’s often a familiar face or two dropping by for tea – the Y2 music studio is upstairs – so don’t be surprised if a low-key Manchester music name is sipping a brew or sharing a bite at the next table.

The menu changes with the mood, but expect the comforting staples of Persian home cooking. There’s aush reshteh, a hearty noodle soup packed with herbs, garlic, and lentils that feels like a hug in a bowl. Mirza ghasemi, a smoky aubergine dish laced with garlic and tomato, is perfect for mopping up with warm flatbread. Kuku sabzi frittata – more herb than egg – lands in thick green slices, fragrant and earthy. Slow-cooked stuffed peppers might just steal the show, packed with beef, rice, and a riot of herbs.

It’s not just food either – Y2 hosts poetry nights, music, dance, game evenings and more, cementing its reputation as one of the most heartfelt hangouts in the area. Yas loves old mob movies, where there’d be ‘legitimate business’ going on upstairs, and a place to eat downstairs. So think Satriale’s by way of Tehran. He wants this place to feel like an extension of the family dinner table, and it truly does. Love this place.⁠